Meeting with Sh. Pawan K. Bansal, Hon’ble Minister, Parliamentary affairs by the office bearers of Chandigarh Circle

We, at Chandigarh Cirle, feel honoured to accept the responsibilityshouldered upon us to express the concerns of the Cadre especiallyconveying thanks (for sanction of grade pay of Rs. 4600/- to the Inspectors) to Sh. Pawan K. Bansal, Hon’ble Minister, ParliamentAffairs. With great pleasure, it is informed that a team of Officers ofChandigarh Circle consisting of Sh. Manoj Nayyar, President; Sh. R. S.Sethi, Joint Secretary and the undersigned has got an opportunity tomeet the Hon’ble Minister today i.e. on 08.02.2010 and the letter of thanks issued by our President was placed before the Minister. While acknowledging the thanks, the Hon’ble Minister very much remembered the references made by him in his capacity as the Minister of State for Expenditure. He was overwhelmed by the response of the Association and has reciprocated the greetings for the constant efforts as well as follow up at the end of the Association. The meeting was of short duration and we succeeded in winning his assurance for any kind of help from him in future.
Regards,
Malkit Singh,
Gen. Secretary,
Chandigarh Circle,Chandigarh.

CEC Jaipur a brief note.

With the active Co-operation of the members of Rajasthan Circle under the able leadership of Sri Vinay Awasthi (President ) and Sri Sudhir Tiwari ( General Secretary ) The 2nd Central Executive Committee recently held its meeting on 23rd & 24th of January 2010 in the Pink City (Jaipur).

Commissioner Central Excise, Jaipur Sri R.K.Singh inaugurated the open session. At the closed session the issues discussed are depicted underneath:

1. RESTORATION OF GRADE PAY OF INSPECTORS TO RS. 4600/- and Fixation of pay on promotion or by direct recruit who have joined before 01.01.2006.

2. ANOMALY IN FIXATION OF PAY OF 1992 BATCH INSPECTORS:

3. FIXATION OF PRE REVISED PAY-SCALE FROM 01.01.1996 :

4. NON-FUNCTIONAL SELECTION GRADE : CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE GRADE PAY TO INSPECTORS WHO RECEIVED ACP AFTER 01.01.2006

5. GRANT OF PROPER EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE FOR THREE SETS OF UNIFORMS FOR PERSONNEL IN CUSTOMS.

6. LTU, ACES AND GST.

6A. REMOVAL OF STAGNATION , HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE REPORT ON REMOVAL OF STAGNATION, RESTRUCTURING.

7. MEETING OF THE ANOMALY COMMITTEE

8. Rule 9. of CCS (RP) rules Date of next increment

9. Compassionate Appointment

10. ORGANISATIONAL FRONT

11. MODIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION

12. ASSOCIATION FUND

13. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF THE BRANCHES/CIRCLES:

14. RENEWAL OF RECOGNITION

15. FORMATION OF JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE WITH THE

SUPERINTENDENT ASSOCIATION IN THE

It was decided that Association shall represent on the issues in the sl. No. 01 to 09 and after exhausting persuasive action V.V.I.P references wil be taken care of.

20 branches and circles attended the meeting. Patna, Allahabad and Luknow expressed their inability to attend the meeting due to inordinate late running of various trains.

New units like Nasik from Maharastra, Indore and Bhopal from Madhya Pradesh attended the meeting. Nasik joined the Association right before the CEC, Indore and Bhopal joined the Association in the CEC.

CEC applauded the efforts of Sri Virender Singh Thakur and his Chandigarh circle for considerable contribution and special effort for the work done by the Association within the last one year, Sri Thakur and his Chandigarh circle has been awarded with a memento by the President of the All India Association. CEC decided to recompense at least one unit for its good contribution towards all India activities.

CEC decided to go for combined movement with the other units in the revenue department and to form a Joint Action Committee along with the newly elected Superintendent Association in our department. The Rajasthan Circle took the responsibility to initiate discussion with the President of the Superintendent Association. Action programme on the pending issues shall be decided in consultation with the Superintendent Association.

Detailed circular in this regard will be issued shortly.

Notice for Jaipur CEC

Note for CEC Jaipur

A question raised from some quarters that certain issues like pay scale of inspectors after VIth Pay Commission and revised Pay-scale of inspectors from 01. 01.1986 or NFSG got no place in our agenda points. We would like to humbly submit that the issues for which our Board had already started taking positive steps shall find their place in the action taken report of the Secretary General. Discussion in detail will be done after tabling of the action taken report by Secretary General and decision if any will be taken after the discussion. There should not be any confusion that some of the points may not be discussed at all. All the units are once again requested to convene their own circle/Branch committee meeting before coming to the CEC meeting. Kindly clear up the dues to the All India Association as it is becoming increasingly difficult to run the Association for dearth of money, and detail of accounts be submitted in the meeting for onward submission to the Board.

Kousik Roy

CIRCULAR 1/2010

Dear Comrades,

I take this opportunity to address you through this open circular.Let us all pray that the New Year brings the best for all of us.At the end of last year we were able to solve the irregularity of grade pay recommended by 6th CPC for Inspectors, in addition to this serious negotiations are on the cards on notional fixation from 01.01.1996 & removal of stagnation. It is a crucial period considering the Government’s proclaimed anti-Government staff attitude. A series of measures are being envisaged by the Government to curtail the existing benefits of the Government employees whether in the matter of pay revision, pension scheme, the existing medical facilities, or continuance of the services itself as such. The issues specifically concerning our department and cadre as such are: the cadre review now under process, the introduction of LTU and its effects on the working of the department, the impending implementation of GST and the necessity to gear up to face its onslaught, etc.These issues are all elaborately discussed in our earlier circulars. All those materials are made available in our Association’s blog : aiceia.blogspot.comIn the light of the above, the requirement for the cadre to be organised and united needs no emphasis. Towards this goal, this Association has been consistently working at various levels, along with similarly placed Service Associations in the Department of Revenue as well as in the other Departments of the Central Government. In fighting against the new Pension Scheme, which is nothing but putting our pension benefits at the mercy of the stock markets, we have joined hands even with the Service Associations of the State Governments.During the above experiences, we have come across comments from the Association representatives of other Central Government departments in certain places that the Staff of Central Excise do not participate in the programmes. This invariably gives a very negative impression about our department and cadres to the other Government employees, let alone the general public. These impressions are definitely not going to help us achieve our legitimate demands from the hands of the Government.Some units of the erstwhile AIFCEEO (which had been renamed as AICEIA due to the requirement of the CCS(RSA) Rules) had joined their hand to strengthen the Association. However, now that issue has been settled with the submission of renewal for recognition application to this Association by the Government. The copy of the letter for renewal of recognition is enclosed for ready reference.Hence we hereby appeal through this Open Circular to all the units of the erstwhile AIFCEEO to consider the above position and join hands to restore the unity of the cadre and strengthen this Association so that entire cadre is benefited.The Central Executive Committee meeting of AICEIA is scheduled to meet at Jaipur, Rajashtan on 23rd and 24th January, 2010. The copy of the notice of the said meeting follows. Whether to join this Association or as observers at least, all Units are requested to kindly make it convenient to send delegates/Office Bearers for the meeting.We sincerely hope that we will be able to make up for the organisational weakness suffered by our cadre for the past several years and meaningfully proceed on matters concerning the cadre and department.I request the recipients of this Circular to kindly circulate it widely so that it reaches every one concerned, even if due to non availability of the current addresses I could not reach out to them directly. It is requested that this may kindly be taken as a personal invitation on behalf of the Cadre.Once again hoping that representatives from all over India will meet at the CEC on 23rd and 24th of January and take important decisions and implement them in a decisive manner


To
The President,
All office Bearers,
Circle and Branch Secretaries Comradely Yours
For wide circulation

( KOUSIK ROY )

Venue of the meeting:
hotel surya
R.No.14,vishwa karma industrial estate
sikkar road
jodla power house
haramara
jaipur

it is 25 kms from airport and 8 kms from railway station.
the programme will be hosted by our Rajasthan branch.

CIRCULAR- 11/09

Dear Comrades, The 23rd National Council meeting of the Confederation was held at New Delhi from 4th to 6thDecember, 2009. The meeting was inaugurated by Com. Sukomal Sen, former Member of Parliament and former General Secretary of TUI-PAE. The inaugural session was held at Muktadhara, Gol market, New Delhi. Com. Tapan Sen, MP and Chairman, Reception Committee welcomed the Guests, Councillors, and observers on behalf of the Reception Committee. The Council was addressed by Com. M.K. Pandhe, President, CITU, Com. Umraomal Purohit, General Secretary, HMS and Secretary Staff Side, JCM, National Council. Com. S.P. Tewari, General Secretary, TUCC, Com. Subba Rao, Secretary, BMS, Com. Sreekumar, General Secretary, All India Defence Employees Federation, Com. Rajesh Menon, General Secretary, Confederation of Central Government Officers Federations. Com. Swapan Mukherjee General Secretary AICCTU, Com. Sebastiano Soares, General Secretary, TUI, Com. Nguyen Ngoc Ben, Senior Vice President, Vietnam Public Services Union had sent in their messages, which were read out at the inaugural session. On behalf of the Presidium, Com. S.K. Vyas, President, Com. C.C.: Pillai, Working President, Com. T. Narasihman addressed the session. Com Vrighu Bhattacharya, proposed vote of thanks. Com. G.L. Dhar, Secretary, AITUC, Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, and Com S. Mohan, Secretary General, All India Audit & Accounts Officers Association addressed the delegate session on 5th Dec 2009. The subject session of the Council meeting were held at Garhwal Bhawan, New Delhi. 35 Affiliated Associations/Federations and 14 COCs were present at the subject session. From our Association Kousik Roy and N.Venkatakrishnan attended the meeting. In all 51 comrades participated in the discussion on the report. The Secretariat provided all the clarification sought by the members before adopting the accounts. The Council adopted various resolutions moved by the Sectt and a few moved by the affiliates and COC representatives. The amendments to the Constitution proposed by the National Executive Committee, which had already been circulated were adopted. Besides, the Secretariat submitted certain proposals on the basis of the feedback from the affiliates and COCs. These were also approved by the Council after deliberations. The amendments were to give effect to the following proposals. (a) To replace the existing National Council with the triennial National Conference. (b) To have a National Council as the second tier of functioning to meet once in a year. (c) To have the National Executive with the members of the elected Secretariat members, Members nominated by the affiliated organizations having membership of more than 3000 and if those organizations do not have a representative in the Secretariat. (d) To have a progressive representation of councilors/Associate Councillors for the COCs in the National Conference on the basis of paid up amount of subscription with a ceiling limit of one Councilor and four associate Councillors , the maximum subscription being Rs. 5000 and the minimum at Rs.1000. (e) To have the National Council, the representation of each of the affiliated Associations/Federation through their Chief Executive and the State Secretaries of the COCs. (f) To expand the number of Secretariat members for the ensuing term to give wider representation to the affiliates. The Council also decided to adopt the logo of the Confederation as was exhibited at the meeting and change the nomenclature of the COCs as "Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, ………….State Committee/District Committee" as the case may be. The Resolution moved by the Secretariat on Policy and Programme was discussed in the background of the Government's decision to re-introduce the PFRDA bill in the Parliament seeking even the support of the NDA partners. It was decided by the house that the Secretariat must hold discussion with the leaders of the All India State Government employees Federation and All India Defence Employees Federation to carry out the earlier proposal of organizing a day's strike action as and when the Bill is placed before the Parliament. The resolution on Policy and Programme was adopted. The same is annexed to this letter. The Council elected the following as the office bearers for the ensuing term of three years. The house unanimously accepted the suggestion of Com. S.K.Vyas, President to appoint Com. P.V. Ramachandran as Auditor of the Confederation. The Council concluded its deliberations on 6th at 6.00 PM. LIST OF MEMBERS OF SECRETARIAT OF CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS, NEW DELHI. (Elected in the XXIII National Council Meeting held on 4-6 December, 2009) S.No Name of Post Name of Comrade Parent organization Tel. Number. 1 President S.K.Vyas Audit 9868244035 2 Working President K.Ragavendran NFPE 9868819295 3 Vice Presidents: T. Narasimhan NFPE 9440056969 4 K.V.Sridharan NFPE 9868545552 5 K.P.Rajagopal ITEF 9443914467 6 M. Duraipandian Audit 9789833552 7 N. Somayya Ground Water. 9811748243 8 Secretary General K.K.N.Kutty ITEF 9811048303 9 Secretary M.S.Raja Audit 9868145667 10. Assistant Secys. Virghu Bhattacharjee Civil Accounts 9868520920 11 Ashok B Salunkhe ITEF 9869477401 12 Ishwar Singh Dabas NFPE 9968099272 13 Jayaraj.K.V. Atomic Energy 9869501189 14 S.S. Mahadevaiah GDS 9811577701 15 Finance Secretary Giri Raj Singh NFPE 9818801178 16 Organising Secys. P.K.Das IBM 9423635211 17 Ashok Kanojia ITEF 9810206426 18 Mani Achari Atomic Energy 9442155128 19 Geeta Ghoshal ITEF 9433960750 20 P.Suresh NFPE 9885077451 21 R.Seethalakshmi NFPE 9448819821 22 Nageswara Rao Audit 9912348233 23 Pijush Roy Civil Accounts 9433515577 24 P. Rajanayagam Postal Accounts 9868451466 25 R.P.Singh Agmark 9969080996 26 D.P.S.Madan Central Secretariat 9871372438 27 T.K.R.Pillai Stts.Prog. Implementation 9425372172 28 Auditor P.V.Ramachandran ITEF 9424417526

Copy of Resolution on Policy and Programme adopted at the National Council meeting on 6^thDecember, 2009.

RESOLUTION ON POLICY AND PROGRAMME

In the beginning of nineties, India, succumbing to the pressure exerted by the imperialist powers through the IMF, opened-up its economy to globalization, stating that it was left with no alternative. Globalization and liberalization were the panacea suggested for bringing about faster economic growth. Faster growth of economy indeed was brought about but only to the lender nations. Most of the third world countries, setting aside the planned development path adopted the neo-liberal economic policies. What emerged on pursuance of the ill advised policy is the accentuation of hunger, poverty and unemployment. Sharper division between the rich and poor countries ensued. The gulf between the haves and have-nots widened. Most of the nations in South Asia and sub-Sahara Africa suffered from high levels of hunger. The global intake of food articles was substantially reduced. Between 2003-and 2008, the cost of rice in the retail market rose by four times and corn by three times. Our country became distinct for its largest food-insecure population i.e. about 200 million.

Throughout the world, workers rose in struggle. To combat this ongoing resistance, the Trade Union rights were denied. Enactments were made to abridge the labour welfare measures. In India we even witnessed brutal physical assaults with the active collaboration of the Police and state machinery as happened in Gurgaon, Rajasthan and Orissa. Thousands of peasants ended their life during the period. There had been incessant resistance to the policies from all sections of the working people. More and more people began to participate in the resistance movement. The strike actions, under the united platform of Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions elicited more and more participation of the workers.

The Central Government employees, who were reluctant partners in the struggle in the beginning, realized the enormity and pernicious impact of these policies in the day to day life. The strike action of 30^{th t} October, 2007

against the pension fund reforms was the manifestation of the growing realization of the issues involved. It was only on the threat of an indefinite strike action; the Government of India revised its stand and decided to set up the 6^th CPC. The downsizing, contractorsation, privatization, outsourcing etc were the various methodologies adopted to shed regular employment and usher in informalisation of workforce to carry on even the unavoidable perennial and permanent nature of functions. This has continued unabated and serious struggles are required to stem the rot. We are to take initiative in mobilizing the entirety of Central Government employees.

There had been no bilateral discussions and negotiations with the Unions/Federations/Associations of the Central Government employees worth the name on the demands placed jointly by all these organizations to the Government on the recommendations of 6^th CPC. What all in the name of discussions happened was to provide an audience to the Staff Side of JCM by the Committee of Secretaries. Most of the issues/demands in the charter were rejected without adducing any reasons whatsoever. This meeting calls upon the National Executive to strive to bring those issues to the centre stage of discussion, demand negotiation with the group of Ministers and organize programme of action including strike to bring about a satisfactory settlement support thereof.

The situation makes it binding on us to prepare for a long and sustained struggle. This conference exhorts its members to strive their best to bring about a much more united and militant movement to make it possible.

On 4^th of December Secretary General and Vice-President (South) went to North Block met different officials of C.B.E.C on the pending demands and discussed with the Administration about the possibility of granting notional fixation from 01.01.1996 in the light of Cuttack CAT judgment. It was decided that another round of discussion will be held on 15^th of December with the Board officials.

In the organizational front we are receiving positive response from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra hope the aperture will be set right.

For renewal of recognition this is an SOS to all the circles and branches ‘kindly respond without more ado and send your D.D.O certificates forthwith’.

To

The President,

All office Bearers,

Circle and Branch Secretaries Comradely Yours

For wide circulation KOUSIK ROY

UPDATE - 08.12.2009

Comrades,

Many members are asking an update on the restructuring and on the future course of action. Due to time constraints, I am unable to give a detailed report. We would be issuing a detailed circular shortly for discussion in Circles so that further deliberations can be made in the upcoming CEC meeting. These are the highlights of the Committee Report.

High Powered Committee.

Proposed to create All India Central Indirect Taxes Service with the following Hierarchical Structure.

Central Indirect Taxes Officer – (CITO)19670 posts by merging Inspector CE & PO
Senior Central Indirect Taxes Officer – (SCITO) 11805 posts by merging Superintendent CE & Preventive
Senior Superintendent (Indirect Taxes) – (SS) 1400 posts – JTS with GP Rs. 5400/- in PB –3 and STS after 4 years regular service in JTS with GP Rs. 6600/-

SS would be heading Audit Teams and represent the Department before Commissioner (Appeals)/ (Adjn)

Officers promoted as SS would retain their Seniority in Group B level for promotion into IRS cadre as AC.

Inspector CE & PO to be merged and inter se seniority as per DOPT guidelines and Baradwaj Committee Report.

Transfer liability outside the zone of recruitment/ promotion would arise only at the time of promotion as SCITO with facility to return to parent zone on FIFO basis.

Superintendent CE & Prev. to be merged and promotion to SS from the combined cadre of SCITO.

To bring zonal parity, Inspector CE/PO senior in that grade to the last promoted Superintendent (CE or P) shall be re-designated as Superintendent.

Study Group II for restructuring of Integrated Commissionerate & LTU.

Creation of Principal Zones in 5 regions headed by Principal CC.

Creation of 10 more integrated Commissionerates.

Creation of 68 more Division

Creation of 290 more Ranges

Redesignating Superintendent with 25 years of service and receiving 2nd ACP as Deputy Assistant Commissioner.

Increase in posts consequent to the above proposals.

Commissioner – 30
ADC/JC - 79
DC/AC - 360
Superintendent - 1555
Inspector - 4565


Study Group I for restructuring of exclusive Commissionerates.

Creation of 17 additional Exclusive Service Tax Commissionerate

Three Chief Commissioners for ST

More Commissioner (Appeals)

Increase in posts consequent to the above proposals.

CC - 3
Commissioner – 31
ADC/JC - 63
DC/AC - 133
Superintendent - 1819
Inspector - 1879


In Central Excise reduction of 2 Commissionerates proposed.

OTHER MATTERS

The meeting w.r.t 01.01.1996 fixation said to have been held is with the Superintendent Association. However our SG had some informal meetings during his visit to Delhi between 03-05.12.2009

The GP 5400 for ACP Inspectors has been referred to DOPT. The case instituted in Cochin CAT may be taken up for hearing in early 2010.

We would be visiting Delhi on 15th and some discussions are slated. We would give an update later.


ARUN ZACHARIAH.P
PRESIDENT
AICEIA